Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: This is how I congratulate
Violet stood motionless, the weight of her own downfall pressing down on her like an unbearable force. She had spent years ensuring that no one dared to challenge her authority, yet here she was—cornered, humiliated, and with no choice but to surrender.

Swallowing the bitter taste of defeat, she turned to Seren, her lips pressing into a thin line before forcing out the words she never thought she would say.

“I… apologize,” she said stiffly, her voice lacking its usual sharpness. “I was wrong to accuse you without knowing the full truth.”

Seren blinked in surprise, not expecting the apology, but her mother remained impassive.

Winter arched a brow, watching Violet with silent scrutiny. She could see the forced restraint in the woman’s expression, the way her fingers curled into her palms as if trying to hold onto the last shreds of her pride.

But it no longer mattered.

Violet Thames was defeated.

Violet turned to Principal Kane next, her shoulders rigid. “I overstepped,” she admitted, though it took everything in her to say it. “I should not have interfered in school matters the way I did.”

Principal Kane, ever the professional, simply nodded. “I appreciate your understanding, Mrs. Thames.”

The humiliation was almost too much to bear. But Violet knew she had no other option.

With one final glance at Winter—whose unreadable gaze sent a fresh wave of unease through her—Violet straightened her posture and turned sharply on her heel.

“Theo, we’re leaving.”

The boy hesitated, his face contorted with disbelief. “But Mom—”

“Now.”

Theo bit his lip but said nothing, lowering his head as he followed his mother out of the office.

The moment the door shut behind them, the tension in the room lifted.

Seren exhaled, looking up at her mother. “Mom… did that really just happen?”

Winter gave her a small smile and brushed a loose strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “Yes, Star. It did.”

Teacher Brooke let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that was something I never thought I’d witness in my lifetime.”

Principal Kane adjusted his glasses. “Mrs. Winter, I sincerely apologize for the trouble this has caused. Seren will not be punished, and we will ensure that she is treated fairly moving forward.”

“Thank you, Principal Kane,” Winter said smoothly. “That’s all I ask.”

She placed a gentle hand on Seren’s shoulder, guiding her toward the door.

As they walked out into the hallway, Seren tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Mom, are you upset?”

Winter glanced down at her daughter, her eyes calm but firm. “No, Star, I am not, and now that everything is fine, how about you concentrate on your lessons?” she suggested.

Because Violet Thames had learned the hard way—some battles weren’t worth fighting.And this was one she would never win.

Seren nodded and soon they went their separate ways.

As Winter stepped outside, her eyes immediately landed on a familiar car parked near the school gates.

Something clicked in her mind, and without hesitation, she made her way over and got inside.

Winter exchanged a glance with Stanley as they drove back to the office when suddenly her phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, she answered immediately.

“Guess where I am?” Gina’s excited voice came from the other end.

Winter cleared her thoughts and smiled. “Where?”

“In your office, signing the contract!” Gina announced proudly.

Winter’s smile widened. “That’s great! Just wait there—I’m on my way back now.”

Gina frowned slightly in confusion. “You’re not in the office? Then where are you?”

Winter exhaled, closing her eyes briefly. “I had to go to Seren’s school. Something happened, but don’t worry—it’s all sorted now. I’ll tell you everything once I get there.”

Gina didn’t push further but still sounded concerned as she ended the call.

Meanwhile, inside the meeting room, Gina placed her phone back into her purse with a thoughtful frown.

Lily, sitting across from her, tilted her head. “What happened to your happy face?”

They were currently waiting for Sean to arrive. Since Kalix was occupied with other matters, he had assigned Sean to oversee the contract process.

Gina sighed, still troubled. “Something happened at Seren’s school.”

Lily’s expression turned serious. “What? Is everything okay?”

She was familiar with Winter and her daughter and had grown quite fond of Seren.

“I don’t know the details, but Winter assured me everything is fine,” Gina replied, though the concern in her voice was evident.

Ever since Winter and Seren had moved in with Kalix, Gina hadn’t been able to visit them as much, but she knew how important Seren’s school was to Winter.

Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something big had happened.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and Sean walked in, exuding his usual professional aura.

The second Gina’s eyes landed on him, everything else seemed to fade into the background. Her eyes gleamed with delight.

“I apologize for the delay, but shall we begin the signing process?” Sean said, his voice smooth as he shared a glance with both women.

Since Lily was the manager, she had already reviewed the contract thoroughly and was satisfied with the clauses protecting their artist.

Lily exchanged a quick look with Gina before reaching forward to sign the documents.

Throughout the process, Sean could feel Gina’s gaze on him. Though he was a composed and professional man, he found himself pointedly ignoring her.

“Congratulations, Miss Gina. I hope this collaboration brings immense success to both parties,” Sean said politely, extending his hand toward Lily first for a handshake.

“Congratulations to you too,” Lily responded, shaking his hand before stepping aside.

When Sean turned to Gina, she grabbed his hand instantly, holding it a moment longer than necessary.

“I’m more than eager to work with you,” she murmured, seizing his attention.

Just one look from her had him gulping.

Lily, noticing Gina’s attempt to intimidate the man, cleared her throat.

Sean quickly withdrew his hand from Gina’s grip, but before he could gather his thoughts, Lily’s phone rang. She excused herself, stepping out of the room.

Gina’s eyes glinted playfully—now that they were alone, she wasted no time closing the distance between them.

“So, when should we start the shoot?” she asked, her voice smooth and teasing.

Sean stiffened, feeling an unfamiliar shudder run through him.

Her proximity made him nervous—not just because of how intoxicating her scent was, but because even her words sent an unsettling thrill through his body.

Sean had never been pursued the way Gina pursued him. He knew she was effortlessly charming, a natural flirt, yet despite himself, he couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward her.

“W-We will let you know, Miss Gina,” he mumbled, immediately taking a step back.

There was something about her—something dangerously alluring. But he feared she was simply toying with him, just as she had with her previous flings.

Gina narrowed her eyes, but her lips curled into a knowing smile, watching him struggle against her charm.

“You’re quite defensive, Sean. Shouldn’t we already be familiar with each other?” she teased, stepping even closer.

Sean gulped.

He could see the amusement dancing in her eyes. She enjoyed making him squirm, and what unsettled him the most was that he didn’t find it unpleasant.

In fact, it was overwhelming in the best way.

He was used to being in control, yet Gina held the upper hand so effortlessly.

“We are, Miss Gina, but… this is a workplace. We can’t mix personal matters with business,” Sean stammered, his voice betraying his struggle to maintain composure.

Yet he remained rooted to the spot, his eyes locked onto hers.

“Oh, so we do have a ‘personal’ matter between us? How interesting,” Gina mused, her gaze flickering from his deep brown eyes to his lips.

The way they quivered under her burning stare made her wonder just how they would taste.

Without dwelling any longer, Gina simply reached out, her fingers grazing his lips before he could react.

Sean’s breath hitched, caught completely off guard.

Before he could fully process what was happening, Gina closed the distance and claimed his lips in a swift, daring kiss.

His entire body tensed—frozen in place, his mind scrambling to catch up.

Pulling back just as quickly, Gina’s lips curled into a playful smirk.

“This is how I congratulate,” she murmured, her voice dripping with mischief.

Her eyes lingered on his stunned expression for a moment before she stepped back, leaving him standing there, speechless.

“…”